Keeping kids safe from drowning

July 03, 2017

Parents and carers need to be extra vigilant when supervising young children swimming in inland waterways affected by recent flooding, Life Saving Victoria warns.

Swollen rivers, lakes and dams are particularly dangerous for young, inquisitive children regardless of their swimming ability. This is brought home when you consider the fact that drowning is the most common cause of preventable death for Victorian children under the age of five.

Play It Safe by the water

The Play it Safe by the Water advertising campaign reinforces the importance of closely monitoring toddlers around water in a bid to curb the rising number of drowning incidents. The powerful ads feature a timer clock counting down to 20 seconds, the time it takes for a toddler to drown.

'Dams are the most common location for toddler drowning deaths on farms,' says Life Saving Victoria spokesman Guy Britt. Never take your eyes off your children - in many cases, there's a toddler who wandered off from their parents or carers.

Incidences of drowning by children are on the increase. Thirty-three children aged under five drowned in Australia in 2009/10 compared to 27 toddlers in 2008/09, according to the Royal Life Saving 2010 National Drowning Report.

In Victoria, seven deaths were reported in 2009/10, four more than the previous year and three more than the 10-year average. Half of Victoria's toddler drowning fatalities occur in regional Victoria, including dams, creeks, rivers, irrigation channels, water troughs, as well as home pools and baths.

Around four children under the age of five drown in farm dams in Australia every year. Three children under five drowned in rivers, creeks and streams and four drowned in a lake, dam or lagoon in Australia in 2009/10, the National Drowning Report 2010 reveals.

How to keep your kids safe around inland waterways

Currents, unstable riverbanks and riverbeds, submerged trees, branches and rocks and cold water are among the hazards parents need to be aware of when swimming in inland waterways. 'Seek advice on swimming conditions from local park rangers, tourist/accommodation operators and shopkeepers who know the area well,' Mr Britt says. 'Safe conditions in the morning can be treacherous by the afternoon.'

He advises people on large properties with dams to restrict access to water with a child-safe play area a securely fenced area that prevents children from wandering off without adult supervision.

While drowning deaths on beaches are not as high, Life Saving Victoria reminds people to swim only at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags and to keep young children under five within arm's reach.

'A patrolled beach is no guarantee of safety,' Mr Britt says. 'Constant supervision is the best way to protect children against drowning and that means never taking your eyes off them.'

Inflatable vests and floaties are not a substitute for vigilant supervision, though they can help young children feel more confident in the water.

'Most drownings occur during unplanned encounters with water when a child has wandered off from adults,' he says. 'It only takes a few seconds and five centimetres of water for a toddler to drown. There have been kids who have drowned in puddles so you need to ensure that anything containing water is empty or sealed.'

In an emergency always call 000 for an emergency. You can also get more information from Life Saving Victoria.

This article is provided by Department of Justice (Victoria) for Kidspot, Australia's best family health resource.

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